Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Geography

Consequences of Capitalism: Economic Changes

Capitalism is an economic system based on liberalism in which most means of production (machinery, factories, etc.) are privately owned. Its main theory is that of a free market and is based on competition law (supply and demand and reduce costs).

• Capitalism led to an inequality society (class society): high difference by wealth.
• Sometimes led to overproduction and economic crisis. It grows very fast but can decrease also very fast.
• Banks are joint-stock companies.
• Could finish in monopolies or oligopolies.

Consequences of Capitalism: Social Changes

There are high, middle, or petty bourgeoisie. Factors of class society: Capitalism organized society into the bourgeoisie, the rich people who carried out business... Continue reading "Consequences of Capitalism: Economic and Social Changes" »

Roman Cities and Daily Life

Urban Planning and Architecture

Roman cities were meticulously planned with a distinctive grid layout featuring straight and parallel streets. Streets running north to south were known as Cardo, while those running east to west were called Decumanus. The intersection of these main thoroughfares formed the Forum, the central public square where key city buildings such as the Capitoline Temple, Basilica, Temples, and Baths were located.

Leisure and Public Structures

Beyond the Forum, Roman cities featured various structures dedicated to leisure and public services:

• Theatres: Outdoor facilities designed for dramatic performances and plays.
• Amphitheatres: Grand arenas built to host gladiatorial contests and public spectacles.

The Evolution and Impact of Shopping Centers

This analysis will examine shopping centers, delving into their history, exploring the reasons for their popularity, and assessing their impact on town center shops, before concluding with a personal perspective.

A Brief History of Shopping Centers

The first shopping centers emerged in the late 1980s, with the concept largely originating from the USA. A primary advantage was the convenience of finding a wide array of products and services under one roof. Furthermore, products were frequently more affordable than those found in smaller, independent shops. Consequently, daily, but particularly on weekends, people flocked to these centers for their weekly or even monthly shopping needs.

The Rise of Consumer

Economic Activity: An Overview

Economic activity encompasses the actions people undertake to organize the production, distribution, and consumption of goods. It addresses the fundamental challenge of fulfilling human needs, which are unlimited, using limited resources.

What is a Good in Economics?

In economics, a 'good' possesses two key characteristics:

• Scarcity: It is limited, making people willing to pay for it.
• Necessity: It fulfills human needs, justifying people's willingness to pay.

Production and Factors of Production

Production involves utilizing natural and human resources to create goods. These resources include:

• Natural Resources: Resources derived from the environment, such as biological, mineral, and energy sources.
• Human Resources: Encompass

The Secondary Sector: Industry

Definition

The secondary sector encompasses industries that transform raw materials into manufactured goods. This process involves the use of machinery and energy in enclosed spaces like factories, resulting in the mass production of products.

Types of Industry

By Maturity

• Mature: Textile, steel, naval
• Advanced: Biotechnology, microelectronics, telecommunications, robotics

By Destination of Products

• Basic Industries: Convert raw materials into semi-finished products
• Capital Goods Industries: Manufacture products essential for other industries
• Consumer Goods Industries: Produce goods for direct sale to consumers

The Post-Fordist Model

This model emphasizes the development of new technologies and industries, catering to individual... Continue reading "The Secondary Sector: Industry and Its Impact on Economic Growth" »

The Foundations of Industrialization

Industrialization is defined by structural change, improvements in productivity, and the transition from human labour to machinery. This period saw a significant change in demand, marked by shifts in spending behaviors and a rise in demand for market-supplied goods. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the range of market activity expanded, creating greater opportunities for individuals to sell their labour for wages. This led to increased specialization and market activity, as the extent of the market often depends on specialization.

The key to achieving total productivity growth was not found in demography or technology alone, but in the organization of the household as an economic entity. This contrasts... Continue reading "The Industrial Revolution and Britain's Economic Transformation" »

Benefits of Globalization

• Increased Quality: Companies must provide better goods and services to attract consumers.
• Lower Prices: Producers must price competitively to remain in the market.
• Reduced Cultural Barriers: Movement between countries fosters tolerance and openness.

Drawbacks of Globalization

• Exploitation: Companies may relocate factories to countries with cheaper labor, leading to exploitation (e.g., Adidas factory in Cambodia).
• Job Insecurity: Globalization increases competition for jobs, leading to job insecurity and lower wages.
• Dominance of Rich Countries: Globalization primarily benefits developed countries at the expense of developing countries.

Conclusion

Globalization can be beneficial if human rights are respected and product quality... Continue reading "Globalization: Benefits and Drawbacks in the Goods and Services Sector" »

Agriculture and Fishing: Global Production Systems

Global Distribution of Primary Sector Employment

The primary sector involves the extraction and production of raw materials, such as farming, fishing, and mining.

• Fact Check: In developed countries, 50% of the active population work in the primary sector.
  • False: This figure is characteristic of developing countries. In developed countries, the percentage is typically around 6%.

Agricultural Systems: Definitions and Characteristics

Traditional vs. Commercial Farming

Traditional agriculture is a type of subsistence agriculture, typically practiced on small plots of land. It is characterized by:

• Use of polyculture (growing several crops simultaneously), not monoculture.
• Strong dependence on physical factors

Sioux (Dakota)

Warriors and Honor

Fierce warriors, feared by their neighbors. To win glory for their tribe and fame and honor for themselves, they fought one another. From boyhood on, males were taught to fear neither pain nor death. Bravery in battle was the surest way for a warrior to win respect and a high position in his tribe.

Lifestyle and Sustenance

Food, Shelter, Clothing: Buffalo (when the buffalo moved, they moved). Everything they owned was designed to be carried easily. Within hours they could take down their tepees (conical buffalo-skin tents that were their homes and a symbol of the American Indian way of life). The tepee was invented by the buffalo hunters of the western grasslands. It was built around a framework of about 12 slim,... Continue reading "Native American Tribes: Sioux and Haida" »